Mangle



Dec. 12, 1944.

E. P. HARRISON ET AL MANGLE Filed Jan. 26, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Y. Mw E, 5 0 /77 O e N w @N5 40V A HHM,` l. MA p5 PU. M ao w Dec' 12, 1944' 4 E. P. HARRISON ET AL 2,364,534

MANGLE ,Filed Jan. 26, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZM/:e PAUL ,eme/say OPV/LE A, HUA/7 INVENTORS ATTO EY.

cludes a wiring diagram;

Patented Dec. 12, 1944 MANGLE Elmer Paul Harrisonand Orville A. Hunt, O klahoma City, Okla.; said Hunt assigner to said Harrison Application January` 26, 1940, serial'No. 315,191

(c1. azz- 57)y 14 claims.

This invention relates to mangles or ironing machines and more particularly to the type used in commercial laundering establishments.

Mangles of usual construction include a steam heated ironing shoe in the form of a steam chest, and a power rotated CoM-operating ironing roller having a padded cloth surface. As wet clothing passes thru such a mangle, moisture is removed in the form of steam, and the speed at which the mangle can be operated, and consequently the yspeed at which wet clothing can be ironed, de-

pends almost entirely on the temperature' which can be maintained on the cloth contacting surface of the Shoe, and on the contacting surface of the roller during its actual contact with the cloth. Naturally, the wet-clothing tends to cool Vits heat, this surface canrarely -be maintained.

at a temperature as high'as 212 F. during the' ironing operation. For this reason the padded surface of the roller gradually picks up more and more moisture from the wet clothing, and its temperature tends to drop lower. This further lowers the speed at which clothing can be ironed. In view of these diiiiculties, `it is the chief ob` ject of this invention to provide a mangle in which the padded ironing surface of the ironing roller is supplementally heated independently from the ironing shoe, and can, therefore, be maintained at a temperature sufficiently high, during the ironing operation, to prevent it from absorbing moisture, and also to render it capable of aiding the ironing shoe in completely removing the moisture from the cloth being ironed. Such a 'device, naturally, is capable of ironing clothing, -flat work, etc.,` ata much higher rate of speed than most mangles presently in conimercial use, and such` an increase in ironing speed naturally means reduced laundry operating costs. The details in the construction of several preferred embodiments of the invention, together with other objects attending its production, will be better understood from the following description when it is read in connection :with the accompanying drawings, which are chosen for illustrative purposes only, and in which,

Figure 1 is aL perspective view of a unitary portion of a machine embodying the invention; Figure 2 is an end view of that portion of the machine illustrated `inligure 1, with parts cut away to show constructional details and in- Figure 3 is a top plan view of that portion of the machine illustrated in'Figure 1;

Figure ll-is a side View 'of a portion of a machine which embodies a plurality of the units illustrated in Figure l;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a unitary portion of a machine which includes a slightly different embodiment of the invention than is illustrated in Figures -1 to 3 inclusive;

Figure 6 is an end view, with parts cut away and parts in section, of the portion of the device illustrated in Figure 5; and

Figure '7 is a -view similar to Figure 6', and illustrates a slightly different embodiment ofthe invention than is illustrated in the other views.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in detail in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive a steam chest IU, the surface of which may be shaped to form one -or more arcuate ironing shoes II, each of which is adapted to cop-operate with an ironing roller 'I-2. As illustratedin Figure 4, a complete mangle may include a battery of four to eight ironing rollers I2, arranged inparallel relation, and co-operating shoes II formed in the steam chest IIJ. The shafts I3 on which these rollers are mounted are preferably journaled in adjusta-bly mounted side (plates I4 and I5. These plates `may be moved vertically toward or away from the chest Ill so that all the rollers I2 are simultaneously moved toward or away from their respective shoes. In addition the bearing blocks I6 and Il, which journal the opposite ends ofthe shafts I3, are adjustably mounted in the respective plates I4 andI, and are responsive to adjusting screws I8 asd I9 respectively to move the individualfrollers I2 toward or away from their respective ironing shoes.

As is well known to those familiar with the art, the peripheral surface of the ironing rollers I2 is usually padded with cloth or other suitable padding, and it is this padding which absorbs the moisture from the clothes being ironed, unless the padding is maintained at a temperature higher than 212 F.

As a means of maintaining the padded surface of each of the rollers I2 at a sufciently high temperature to prevent its absorption of moisture and to thereby Iprevent a substantial accumulation of moisture on the padded surface, 'my invention contemplates the use of auxiliary Vheating shoes, each of which? is arcuate in cross lsectionfor (zo-'operative contact with a portion of the surface of its respective roller. In the illustrations each shoe is designated as a whole by the numeral 20'. vThe type of heating shoe illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 is heated electrically by means of what is known to the trade as strip heating elements 2l, 22, and 23. The surfaces of these elements are suitably insulated against being shorted by contact with the damp surface of the roller. 'These strip elements are rigidly attached in parallel relation to a rplurality of laterally aligned arms 241, 25,. and' 26, as shown, the opposite ends of which are rigidly connected to a bar or shaft 21. This shaft is journaled in suitable brackets 28 and 23 preferably-mounted on the plates I4 and l5 respec-` tively. Thus the shoe is mounted so that it may be moved away from thev roller surface in case the surface temperature exceeds a desired limit, and to prevent burning the padded surface in case it is necessary to stop the roller for any reason.

As a preferred means of automatically controlling the. movementl of the heatingshoe 20 into or away from contact with the surface of the roller i2, we provide a suitably mounted damper motor 30. Such a motor is generally available commercially, and is described fully in Reissue Patent #18,503, granted to L. L.. Cunningham on June 21, 1932. Itis simply an automatic reversing back geared motor, which moves a crank arm 3| approximately one half a revolution in one direction on the rst closing of the circuit, automatically breaks the. circuit, and. then returns the arm through the same arc on the next closing of the circuit, the arm always stopping at the same points at opposite ends of its arcuate throw. The eye of an eye bolt 32 receives the end of the crank arm 3l, while the opposite end of the eye bolt is slidably held within a slightly larger perforation in an extension 33 on the arm 26. A compression sprng 34 is positioned on the eyebolt 32 between the upper surface of the extension 33 and. a spring tension adjusting nut 35. Thus as the motor moves the crank arm toward the position shown. in Figure l, the eyebolt and its encircling spring move the entire shoe 20 into contact or near contact with the surface of the roller. The tension adjustment of the spring 34 determines the pressure exerted against the roller surfacev by the shoe 20, if actual contact is desired.

On the next.- closing of the motor circuit the crank arm is moved thru an arc of approximately 180, and thus aids in moving the shoe 20 away fromv the roller surface. To aid the motor in lifting the weight of the shoe, however, we provide an expansion spring 36, one end of which is suitably connected to the shoe and the other end of which is adjustably connected to a suitable bracket31. The tension of this spring is adjustable by means of an adjusting nut 38. With the parts of the mangle in the relative positions shown inFigure l, the spring 35 is expanded, and the shoe has been moved into contact or near contact with the roller surface by the motor, and against the tension of this spring 36. Naturally when the crank arm moves to the opposite end of its throw, the contraction of the spring 35 aids in lifting the shoe. As. a matter of fact I prefer to use aspring suiliciently strong to assume the main portion of the burden of lifting this shoe.

The automatic closing of the motor circuit is accomplished by a fixed temperature thermostatic switch 39, which is responsive to tempera.- ture changes in a heat. conducting element 40, one end of which is connected internally with the switch, and the opposite end of which is adjustably held in a position of contact or near convthe roller surface.

tact with the surface of the roller l2, as it rotates. This switch 39 may be made to operate the motor when the roller surface reaches a high temperature of 300 Fahrenheit, and again when it reaches a low temperature of 240 Fahrenheit. The temperature limits may, of course, be varied to suit the particular operation.

As, a means of "controlling the nowA of current to the heating elements 2 l, 22y and 23, of the shoe 20, any suitable switch 4l operable by the motor 30 may be used. The switch illustrated is a simple toggle switch provided with a switch arm 42, which is bifurcated at its free end for operation by a crank arm 43. This crank arm 43 is operated by the motor 30, and its movement is coordinated with the movement of the crank arm 3|, so that, whenthe crank arm 3| is moving in a shoe lowering direction, the crank arm 43 conrvtacts the switch arm 42, and closes the heating element circuit before the shoer actually contacts Similarly they heating ele.-' ment circuit is opened shortly after the motor begins to operate in the opposite` direction.

The embodiment disclosed in Figures 5, and 6 differs mainly from the above described embodiment in that the shoe 20A, instead of being electrically heated is so constructed that it may be heated by the circulation of fluid therethrough (either gas, vapor, or liquid). This shoe, there,- fore, includes a plurality of hollow tubes or nues 2lA, 22A, and 23A, the open opposite ends of which communicate respectively with headers 44 and 45, which in turn are in communication respectively with a source of heated iiuid supply and a. return line by meansr of pipes or tubes 46 and 41. Due to the fact that the temperature of the fluid heated shoe may be much. more easily controlled than that of the. electrically heated shoe and may be more easily kept at a fairly constant comparatively low temperature, (approximately 280320 Fahrenheit) it is not absolutely necessary to provide. an automatic means for moving the shoe away from the roller surface, altho the same. means as above. described for the electric heater may be used if desired'. As an alternative,y we provide a. hand operated lever 48 pivotally mounted on a. suitable bracket 49 at point 50, and operably connected t0 the shoe 20A by means of a link or bolt 5|, as shown. The handle may be maintained in any desired position by means of a. ratchet 52 and a handle operated pawl 53. All other parts in this embodiment are substantially identical to` the parts in the embodiment first.` described.v

In Figure- 7 is illustrated an embodiment of the invention which differs from the Figures 5 and 6 embodiment only in that the shoe 20B `is made of a. single hollow properly shaped tube lnstead of a plurality of tubes. Fluid is circulated through this shoe in substantially the same manner, and automatic means for raising and lowering the shoe may or may not be employed.' as desired. All other parts are substantially identical to the parts in the embodiment first described.

From the above description ity will be seen that we have provided a mangle construction in which the surfaces of the ironing rollers are supple'- mentally heated independent l from the heat olrldinarily provided by the respective ironing s oes. v

Operation chest I 0. As wet clothing is ironed by passing between the adjacent surfaces of these two members, the moisture in the clothing cools the padped surface of the roller I2, and when the roller surface temperature drops below approximately 240 Fahrenheit the heat conducting element 40 throws thermostatic switch 39, closing the motor circuit. The motor 30, thu crank arm 3|,`then moves heating shoe into contact or near contact withthe surface of roller l2, depending on the predetermined or adjusted length of eye-bolt 32, the motor circuit being automatically opened at the completion of this movement. During this movement of the shoe 20 toward the roller surface, the switch 4I is also thrown, closing the electrical circuit to the heatingl elements 2l, 22 and 23. The proximity of the auxiliary shoe `2 heats the surface of the roller l2 during its rotation until it reaches the thermostatic control temperature, say 300 Fahrenheit, at which time the thermostatic switch again closes the moto-r circuit, the shoe 2U is moved away from the roller by the motor 30, the motor circuit is broken, and the shoe heating circuit is broken.

While we have described and illustrated only three embodiments of our invention7 we are aware that numerous changes and alterations may be made in the construction of devices embodying our invention without departing from the combination of parts disclosed, and we Ado not wish to be limited except by the prior art and bythe scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A mangle or ironer comprising: a heated ironing shoe; an ironing roller mounted to cooperate with said shoe; an auxiliary heating shoe mounted for movement toward and away from the peripheral surface of` said roller; means for heating said auxiliary shoe; and thermostatically controlled power means for moving said auxiliary shoe toward and away from the peripheral surface of said roller, said power means being responsive to temperature changes on the peripheral ironing surface of the roller.

2. A mangle or ironer comprising: a heated ironing shoe; an ironing roller mounted to'cooperate with said shoe; an auxiliary heating shoe mounted for movement toward and away from the peripheral surface of said roller; means, for heating said auxiliary shoe; thermostatically controlled means for moving said auxiliary shoe toward and away from the peripheral surface of said roller; and means operated by said ther mostatically controlled means for controlling the means for heating said auxiliary shoe.

3. An ironer or mangle comprising: an ironing roller; a co-operating heated ironing shoe; an auxiliary heated shoe adjustably mounted for independently contacting and heating a portion of the peripheral surface of said roller as it rotates; electric heating elements for `heating said auxiliary shoe; and a thermostatically controlled motor responsive to changes in the temperature of the roller'surface for moving said auxiliary shoe toward and away from the peripheral surface of said roller.

4. An ironer or mangle comprising: an ironing roller; a co-operating heated ironing shoe; an auxiliary heated shoe adjustably mountedy for independently contacting and heating a portion of the peripheral surface of said roller as it rotates; means affording circulation of heated fluid thru said auxiliary shoe; and a thermostatically controlled motor responsive to the tem perature of the roller surface for adjusting the position of said auxiliary shoe with relation to the adjacent peripheral surface of said roller.

5. A mangle comprising: an ironing roller; an ironing shoe co-operatively engaging a portion of the surface of said roller; means for heating4 said ironing shoe; an auxiliary heating shoe acl-` justably mounted in proximity to the peripheral surface of said roller for heating said surface; means for heating said auxiliary shoe; means for shifting said auxiliary shoe relative to said roller and thermostatically controlled means responsive to temperature changes of the peripheral surface of said roller for controlling the temperature and relative position of said auxiliary shoe.

6. A mangle or ironer comprising: 'a heated ironing shoe;` an ironing roller` mounted for cooperation with said shoe; an auxiliary heating shoe mounted for movement toward and away from the peripheral surface of said roller; means for heating said auxiliary shoe; thermostatic means responsive to changes in the load placed on the roller during its operation and a prime mover responsive to said last inamed means for moving said auxiliary shoe toward and away from the peripheral surface of the roller to thus maintain the roller surface at a temperature above a predetermined temperature.

7, A mangle or ironer comprising: a heated `ironing shoe; an ironing roller mounted for cooperation with said shoe; an auxiliary heating shoe mounted for movement toward and away from the peripheral surface of said roller; means for heating said auxiliary shoe; power means for moving said auxiliary shoe toward and away from the peripheral surface of said roller; and means responsive to changes in the heat load placed on said roller during its operation for controlling the operation of said power means.

8. A mangle or ironer comprising: a heated ironing shoe; an ironing roller mounted for cooperation with said shoe; an auxiliary heating shoe mounted for movement toward and away from the peripheral surface of said roller; means for heating said auxiliary shoe; power means for moving said auxiliary shoe toward and away from the peripheral surface of said roller; and thermostatic means for controlling the operation -of said power means, said means being responsive to predetermined temperature limits on the peripheral ironing surface of said roller.

9. A mangle or ironer comprising: a heated ironing shoe; an ironing roller; an auxiliary roller heating shoe mounted for movement to Ward and away from the peripheral surface of said roller; means for heating said shoe; and a thermostatically controlled motor responsive to changes in the heat load placed on said roller during its operation for moving said auxiliary shoe toward and away from the peripheral surface of said roller.

10. In a heating and drying device, a roller rotatable on its axis, a primary heating surface in close proximity to a portion of the roller periphery and between which surface and roller periphery the material to be heated and dried is passed, an auxiliary heating device for applying heat externally to another portion of the roller periphery to heat the roller independently of the primary heating surface and without the interposition of the material being heated and dried between the roller periphery and the auxiliary heating device, and heat sensitive means for controlling the application of heat to the roller by the auxiliary heating device in response to the temperature of the roller periphery, said heat sensitive means maintaining the roller at a temperature sufficiently high to substantially prevent the accumulation of moisture on the roller irrespective of the varying heat loadimposed by the particular material being passed between the roller and the primary heating surface.

1l. In a heating and drying device, a roller.` rotatable .on its axis and. havingl a moisture absorbent periphery, a primary heating surface in close proximity to a portion of thev roller periphery and between which surface and roller periphery the material, to be heated and dried is passed, an auxiliary heating device for apply ing heat externally to another portion of the roller periphery to heatv the same independently of the primary heating surface and without the interposition of the material being heated. and dried between the roller periphery and the auxiliary heating device, and means including the auxiliary heating device for maintaining the roller periphery at a. temperature suiciently high to substantially prevent the accumulation of moisture on the roller periphery irrespective of the heat load imposed by the particular material being passed between the roller periphery and the primary heating surface.

12. In an ironing device,l an ironing roller having a moisture absorbent `coveringwhich is rapidly deteriorated when its temperature exceeds a given value, a primary heating surface in close proximity to a portion of the roller periphery and between which surface and the roller periphery the material to be ironed is passed, an auxiliary heating device adaptedv to supply heat to another portion of the roller periphery, and thermostatic means responsive to the temperature of the roller periphery for pre.- venting the auxiliary heating device fromr raising the temperature of the.- roller; covering beyond saidy value which causes rapid deterioration oi the covering, said thermostatic; means, however, maintaining the roller'at atemperaturesuiiicientf 1y high to substantially prevent the accumulation of moisture on the roller irrespective of the varying heat load imposed by the particular material being passed between the roller and the primary heating surface. I

13. The method of heatingand drying sheet material which consists in passing thematerial between a primary heating surface, and a roller having a moisture absorbent surface and applying suflcient supplemental heat externally to the roller at another point of its periphery without the interposition of theA materialbetween. the supplemental heating means and the roller to maintain. the periphery of therollervatva temperature sucientlyhighto substantially prevent the accumulation of moisturev on the surface,A of the roller irrespective of .the heatload imposed by the particular material being4 passed between the roller and the primaryl heating surface.

14. The method of heating and drying sheet material which consists inpassing the material between a primary heating surface and a roller having a moisture absorbent surface and applying sufiicient supplemental heat to the roller at another point of its periphery without, the interposition of the material between the supple'- mental heating means and ther roller to maintain the periphery of the rollerl ata temperature sume ciently high to substantially preventthe absorption of moisture by the surface of the roller irrespective of the heat load imposed by the particf ular material being passed between the roller and ther primary heating surface.

ELMER PAUL HARRISON.. ORVILLE A. HUNT. 

